Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a pruning process? Perhaps you are a little intrigued by the title of this blog post because you aren’t quite sure what the pruning process looks like or what it’s supposed to produce.
Stay tuned friend, you might be experiencing the following and I assure you that you will leave this post with a little more clarity and a lot more peace about it.
What God’s Pruning Process Looks Like
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
John 15:1-2 NLT
The scripture above is spoken by Jesus. In His own words He describes Himself as the Vine and us as the branches. The healthy branches will yield much fruit where as the useless ones will be gathered for the fire.
The word “prune” as stated in John 15:2 means ‘to cleanse‘ in the original Greek.
The only way to stay healthy is remain in Him and stay connected to the Vine.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NLT
However, just as a healthy tree needs pruning. So do we.
We have a very large tree that grows in our front yard and every year we have to prune it. My husband and I are not what one would call “gardening types”. We are more of the type to plant something and cross our fingers that it grows. With that being said our poor tree was neglected for far too long.
We admittedly tried to go without pruning away the dead branches and for an entire year our tree suffered. We didn’t realize the importance of cutting away the dead branches so that new growth would occur. When Spring rolled around that year half our tree budded with new growth while the other half laid bare. It was a sad sight.
We then had to saw those dead limbs away leaving unsightly stumps where branches once swayed.
The great news is that once we trimmed off the dead branches our tree came back to life. Jagged stumps formed new growth and I’m happy to report that our tree is now flourishing.
Signs That God is Pruning You
So how do you know if you are in fact being pruned?
If you go back and read the scripture above (John 15:1-2) you will see that all believers are pruned by the Lord. He does this so that those who are producing fruit will produce even more fruit. Don’t you just love the illustrations God gives us in the Bible to make things easier to understand? I know I do.
Why are we pruned in the first place?
Well, there are a couple of reasons.
As part of our sanctification process we know that God will strip us of the sin that so easily entangles us but that is not all. He will also take us out of certain situations and close doors so that we will continue to grow in the way that He wants us to. Neither way is easy and both can be painful. Yet, it’s a necessary part of our growth so that we can mature in the Lord.
When will pruning take place?
Just as in the case of a real life tree, there are similar reasons as to why you will be pruned.
The branch is dead – results will be fruitless, no obvious growth, no life is flowing through.
The branch is sick – the fruit is rotten, there is striving with little results, growth is hindered because it is oppressed.
Trust the Process
If God is going to cleanse something from you it means it is no longer in alignment with His will for you.
Will you strive to make it work? Try and force the fruit? The longer you try to strain the fruit from something that is sick or dead the more you prolong the inevitable.
By allowing things to be trimmed off you and letting yourself be cleansed, you will be rejuvenated. You will gain clarity and purpose.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NLT
While God's pruning might be painful, the harvest will more than make up for what we feel like we have lost. Share on X“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
Proverbs 14:12 NLT
Will it hurt?
Yes. Pruning can be painful. The cutting away is almost never pleasant. You will experience loss and grieve over what can no longer be and that is okay. However, there is great joy ahead!
Don’t look back!
What Does Pruning Produce Within Our Lives?
Just as with any season, the pruning season does have a beginning and an end. The cutting away will produce growth and in turn you will yield a bountiful crop of fruit. Beautiful, luscious fruit that nourishes others.
That my friends is called a harvest!
That is a reason to carry hope my friends. Hope that the pruning process (while painful and bleak) will produce in you an abundant harvest.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Right now friend the pruning might seem unbearable. The shearing is producing cuts and wounds that you feel you may never recover from.
I come bearing good news. Not only will you be healed, you’ll be renewed!
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”
Psalms 126:5-6 NLT
This week’s Salt & Light Feature is none other than Stacey Pardoe. Her blog post aptly called “How to Embrace Change: 8 Mindsets to Help You” will not only bring you more clarity in your season but it offers hope as well.
Her insight spoke directly to my heart!
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This was very helpful information and I really enjoy exploring the stories and scriptures to further my understanding of Goo’s word.